Thomas bolton



(No Model.)

T. BOLTON.

INSOLE FORBOOTS OR'SHOES.

Patented May 6 a 3 324 I .ww. m% :2 o: :2

ooooowovo owooozz NITED STATES THOMAS BOLTON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

INSOLE'FOR BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,278, dated May 6, 1884-.

Application filed February 15, 1884. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS BOLTON, of the city of Rochester, county of Monroe, and State of New York, have inventeda certain new and useful Improvement in Insoles for Boots or Shoes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the insole. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same.

My improvement relates to insoles for boots or shoes, designed to promote flexibility and ease in wear; and it consists of an insole having its face out with numerous incisions part way through, said incisions extending transversely and crossing each other diagonally, so as to leave diamond-shaped spaces between the cuts, as hereinafter more fully described and definitely claimed.

In the drawings, A shows the insole, which is of usual form. a a and a a are the incisions or slits made in one face of the sole and on the foot portion only. These incisions are made by a sharp instrument or tool forming a thin out, and extend but part way through the sole, leaving the opposite face of the sole uncut. They are formed in two series extending diagonally across the sole and crossing each other, as shown, and leaving diamondsh'aped spaces between. It is designed to make the cuts quite near together and with a thin-edged instrument, so that the cuts will close together and leave a smooth surface. Thus prepared the cut surface is scarified by close and fine lines over its whole extent.

I am aware that insoles are in use in which slits are cut transversely and straight across the insole at regular intervals apart, said slits extending through the insole, the object being to increase the flexibility. Such flexibility is secured by a corresponding weakening of the insole, as it is cut into narrow strips nearly across, which leaves the center portion unsupported and without proper strength, the stitching holding only in a narrow margin. My invention consists not simply in cutting cross-slits, but in so scarifying the surface by diagonal cross-cuts located near together and extending but part way through that the upper surface is made of uniform flexibility and softness over its whole extent, while the under surface is left uncut and retains all its strength.

This invention is particularly applicable to shoes made on the McKay sewing-machine.

Having described my invention, I disclaim an insole having cross-slits extending through the insole; but

I claim- As an improved article of manufacture, an insole having one face provided with two series of cross incisions 0r slits crossing each other in a diagonal direction, extending but part way through, and producing a scarified surface, the opposite face of the insole being uncut, as herein'shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. THOS. BOLTON. Witnesses:

P. A. COSTIOH, R. F. OSGOOD. 

